We recently connected with Terrance Bonner and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Terrance , thanks for joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

While growing up, my parents worked hard. Being the baby out of my siblings I felt I got the short end of the stick, haha. Meaning, when I came along I found out we didn’t travel as much as my older siblings would sometimes mention. However, I never wanted for anything. We weren’t rich, but my parents made sure we had what we needed. As I grew up, I watch both my parents work ethics. Although, my dad worked on the railroad he’d sometimes work a part-time job every now and again. When I turned 15, I told my mom I wanted to work. Most jobs then wouldn’t hire until you were 16. Seeing as though my mom was the manager, the owner stated “he would be your responsibility if something happened” she agreed and I began working shortly after. Through the years, my work ethics has reflected the mirrored qualities of watching my parents both work hard and honestly to provide for our family. I appreciate them both for not just teaching but also being a guiding force in my life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Terrance Bonner® is the Founder and CEO of The Glam Station and Spa and The Bonner Institute®, with over 15 years in the beauty, wellness, and education industries and more than a decade of successful business ownership. My journey into the industry wasn’t built on immediate opportunity it was built on persistence and determination. Early in my career, I faced rejection and limited access to opportunities, but instead of stepping back, I leaned in committing myself to mastering my craft, refining my skillset, and continuously investing in education.

That commitment evolved into a career defined not just by service, but by impact.

As a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Licensed Esthetician (LE), educator, and 2x award-winning author, I have trained and mentored over 5,000 estheticians and massage professionals nationwide. Through The Bonner Institute®, I provide advanced continuing education in areas such as Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), trauma-informed bodywork, clinical esthetics, and business development for beauty and wellness professionals. My programs are designed not only to elevate technical skill, but to bridge the gap between clinical results, client experience, and sustainable business growth.

At The Glam Station and Spa, my work focused on delivering results-driven treatments that integrate physical relief with mental and emotional wellness. His approach particularly through modalities like lymphatic drainage and nervous system-focused bodywork addresses chronic pain, post-surgical recovery, inflammation, stress, and stored tension. He believes that true transformation happens when the body and mind are treated as one system, not in isolation.

What sets me apart is my dual lens: practitioner and educator. I don’t just teach theory I teach what works in real treatment rooms and real businesses. My methodology combines clinical precision, intuitive care, and business strategy, allowing both clients and students to experience measurable results.

Throughout my career, I have earned over 45 industry awards, including Best Massage Therapist, Best Aesthetician, and Best Spa of Mississippi, along with national media recognition on NBC, ABC, FOX, and CBS. I was also named to the Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 and inducted into the World Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2023. While these accolades are significant, what I am most proud of is the ripple effect of my work the thousands of professionals who have gone on to build successful careers, expand their confidence, and elevate the standard of care within the industry.

At its core, my brand is built on two principles: transformation through education, intention, and execution. And where your dreams become reality.

For potential clients and students, the message is clear this is more than a service or a class. It’s an experience rooted in excellence, designed to produce real results, and built to help others grow, heal, and lead within their field.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy hasn’t been a single tactic it’s been a system built on three core pillars: results, positioning, and retention. When those are aligned, growth becomes predictable instead of random.

1. Result Driven Services

The fastest way to grow a clientele is to make your work speak louder than your marketing. My focus has always been on delivering measurable results whether that’s pain relief, post-surgical recovery, reduced inflammation, or visible skin improvement.

When clients experience a clear outcome:

* They return consistently
* They refer others without being asked
* They trust your recommendations (services + retail)

This shifts your business from “appointment-based” to solution based, which naturally attracts higher-quality, long term clients.

2. Authority Positioning
Stop competing and start leading (I learned this early on)

Most professionals market services. I market expertise and outcomes.

Positioning yourself as a specialist whether in lymphatic drainage, trauma-informed bodywork, or corrective skincare does two things:

* Eliminates price shopping
* Attracts clients who are already looking for your exact solution

This is done through:

* Consistent educational content (social media, workshops, CE courses)
* Demonstrating your process (not just before/after, but how you get results)
* Speaking, teaching, and showing up as an authority in your niche

When people see you as the expert, they don’t ask “how much?” they ask “how do I book?”

3. Retention Systems (Where Real Growth Happens)

Most businesses focus on getting clients. Real growth comes from keeping them.

A few non-negotiables:

* Every session is part of a treatment plan, not a one time service
* Clear rebooking strategy before the client leaves
* Consistent client education (what they need between visits)
* Follow-up and continuity of care

This turns a $100–$150 visit into a long-term client value of thousands.

4. Client Experience

Skill brings them in. Experience brings them back.

From consultation to checkout, everything is intentional:

* Clients feel heard, not rushed
* The environment supports relaxation and trust
* The service feels customized, not routine

People don’t just return for results they return for how you make them feel.

Bottom Line

The most effective strategy is this:

Deliver results → Position yourself as the expert → Build systems that retain clients

That combination removes inconsistency and creates a business that stays booked not by chance, but by design.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that everyone doing what I do is my competition.

Early in my career, it was easy to fall into that mindset. When you’re trying to establish yourself, every other therapist, esthetician, or business owner can feel like they’re taking a piece of what you’re working so hard to build. I remember comparing who was booked, who was getting attention, who seemed to be “ahead.” And if I’m being honest, that mindset creates pressure, distraction, and sometimes even self doubt.

But over time, experience and results shifted my perspective.

I realized that no one else has my exact combination of skill, experience, energy, and approach. The way I integrate clinical results with client experience, the way I teach, the way I connect that’s not something that can be duplicated. And the same is true for every professional in this industry.

The turning point came when I stopped focusing outward and started refining inward.

Instead of asking:
“What are they doing?”
I started asking:
“How can I get better today than I was yesterday?”

That shift changed everything.

My work improved. My confidence grew. My clients felt the difference. And ironically, the more I focused on my own growth, the more my business grew as well.

Now, I don’t see others in the industry as competition I see them as colleagues, as inspiration, and in many cases, as community. There is more than enough opportunity in this industry for those who are committed to excellence.

The real competition isn’t the person down the street.

It’s who you were yesterday.

And once you understand that, you move differently, you build differently, and you grow differently.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebonnerinstitute.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_terrancebonner

Image Credits

Armani Rose